The natural course of low back pain:a systematic critical literature review

BACKGROUND: Most patients in the secondary care sector consulting for low back pain (LBP) seem to have a more or less constant course of pain during the ensuing year. Fewer patients with LBP in the primary care sector report continual pain over a one-year period. However, not much is known about the long-term course of LBP in the general population. A systematic critical literature review was undertaken in order to study the natural course of LBP over time in the general population. METHODS: A search of articles was performed in Pubmed, Cinahl and Psychinfo using the search terms ‘epidemiology’; ‘low back pain’ or ‘back pain’; ‘prospective study’ or ‘longitudinal study’; ‘follow-up’, ‘natural course’, ‘course’ or ‘natural history’; ‘general population’ or ‘working population’. Inclusion criteria were that one of the objectives was to study the course of (L)BP in the adult population, that the period of follow-up was at least 3 months, and that there were three points of observation or more. The review was undertaken by two independent reviewers using three checklists relating to description of studies, quality and outcomes. The course of LBP was established in relation to those who, at baseline, were reported not to have LBP or to have LBP. Would this course be stable, fluctuating, worsening, or improving over time? A synthesis of results in relation to common patterns was presented in a table and interpreted in a narrative form. RESULTS: Eight articles were included. Articles were different on time span, the number of surveys, and the definition of LBP. In six of the seven relevant studies, for those with no LBP at baseline, relatively substantial stable subgroups of people who continued to be LBP free were identified. In six of the seven relevant studies, definite stable subgroups of continued LBP were noted and improvement (becoming pain free) was never reported to be a common finding. CONCLUSION: The status of LBP in individuals of the general population appears to be relatively stable over time, perhaps particularly so for those without LBP at baseline

Evidence-based classification of low back pain in the general population:one-year data collected with SMS Track

BACKGROUND: It was previously assumed that low back pain (LBP) is a disorder that can be classified as acute, subacute and chronic. Lately, the opinion seems to have veered towards a concept of it being a more recurrent or cyclic condition. Interestingly, a recent review of the literature indicated that LBP in the general population is a rather stable condition, characterized as either being present or absent. However, only one of the reviewed studies had used frequent data collection, which would be necessary when studying detailed course patterns over time. It was the purpose of this study to see, if it was possible to identify whether LBP, when present, is rather episodic or chronic/persistent. Further, we wanted to see if it was possible to describe any specific course profiles of LBP in the general population. METHODS: In all, 293 49/50-yr old Danes, who previously participated in a population-based study on LBP were invited to respond to 26 fortnightly text-messages over one year, each time asking them the number of days they had been bothered by LBP in the past two weeks. The course patterns for these individuals were identified through manual analysis, by observing the interplay between non-episodes and episodes of LBP. A non-episode of LBP was defined as a period of at least one month without LBP as proposed by de Vet et al. A fortnight with at least one day of pain was defined as a pain fortnight (FN). At least one pain FN surrounded by a non-episode on each side was defined as an episode of LBP. After some preliminary observations of the spread of data, episodes were further classified as brief (consisting of only one pain FN) or longer (if there were at least 2 pain FNs in a row). An episode of at least 6 pain FNs in a row (i.e. 3 months) was defined as a long-lasting episode. RESULTS: In all, 261 study subjects were included in the analyses, for which 7 distinct LBP subsets could be identified. These could be grouped into three major clusters; those mainly without LBP (35%), those with episodic LBP (30%) and those with persistent LBP (35%). There was a positive association between number of episodes and their duration. CONCLUSION: In this study population, consisting of 50-yr old persons from the general population, LBP, when present, could be classified as either ‘episodic’ or ‘mainly persistent’. About one third was mainly LBP-free throughout the year of study. More information is needed in relation to their relative proportions in various populations and the clinical relevance of these subgroups

A united statement of the global chiropractic research community against the pseudoscientific claim that chiropractic care boosts immunity.

BACKGROUND: In the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, the International Chiropractors Association (ICA) posted reports claiming that chiropractic care can impact the immune system. These claims clash with recommendations from the World Health Organization and World Federation of Chiropractic. We discuss the scientific validity of the claims made in these ICA reports. MAIN BODY: We reviewed the two reports posted by the ICA on their website on March 20 and March 28, 2020. We explored the method used to develop the claim that chiropractic adjustments impact the immune system and discuss the scientific merit of that claim. We provide a response to the ICA reports and explain why this claim lacks scientific credibility and is dangerous to the public. More than 150 researchers from 11 countries reviewed and endorsed our response. CONCLUSION: In their reports, the ICA provided no valid clinical scientific evidence that chiropractic care can impact the immune system. We call on regulatory authorities and professional leaders to take robust political and regulatory action against those claiming that chiropractic adjustments have a clinical impact on the immune system

Douleurs lombaires dans la population générale : évolution et classification

The aim of this thesis is to study if there is information gathering method, other than that commonly used to better describe the natural history of non-specific low back pain. For this, a literature review was performed and a prospective study in the Danish general population was analyzed. Two methods of gathering information are used to characterize this course: the usual method by questionnaires, classifying low back pain based on the total number of days with pain in one year, and a new SMS-Track method taking into account the duration and rhythm of painful episodes in a year. The results of the literature review and analysis of data on the Danish general population go in the same direction. The course of low back pain is fairly stable, especially for those who do not have pain at baseline. Both classification systems, respectively from the two methods of collection, divide individuals into different groups. In addition, associations of these groups with bio-psychosocial variables are not the same, differentiating clinically the groups of each classification. SMS-Track method provide more detailed information on the rhythm of low back pain over time and seems more appropriate to characterize the course of a recurring condition such as non-specific low back pain. These results now predict the natural history of low back pain and will facilitate the study of individual course patterns to improve the diagnosis, which remains, for now, a diagnosis of exclusion.Le but de cette thèse est d’étudier s’il existe une méthode de récolte d’informations, autre que celle couramment utilisée, permettant de mieux décrire l’histoire naturelle des lombalgies non spécifiques. Pour cela, une revue de la littérature a été effectuée et une étude prospective dans la population générale danoise a été analysée. Deux méthodes de récolte d’informations sont utilisées pour caractériser cette évolution : la méthode usuelle par questionnaires, permettant de classer les douleurs lombaires en fonction du nombre total de jours avec douleurs dans une année, et une nouvelle méthode par suivi SMS prenant en compte la durée et le rythme des épisodes douloureux dans une année. Les résultats de la revue de littérature et l’analyse de la population générale danoise vont dans le même sens. L’évolution des douleurs lombaires est relativement stable, notamment pour ceux qui n’ont pas de douleurs en début d’étude. Les deux systèmes de classification, issus respectivement des deux méthodes de récolte, répartissent les individus en groupes non similaires. De plus, les associations de ces groupes avec des variables biopsychosociales ne sont pas les mêmes, différenciant ainsi cliniquement les groupes de chaque classification. Le suivi SMS permet d’apporter des informations plus détaillées sur le rythme des douleurs lombaires dans le temps et semble plus appropriée pour caractériser l’évolution d’une affection récurrente comme la lombalgie non spécifique. Ces résultats permettent maintenant de prévoir l’évolution des douleurs lombaires et vont faciliter l’étude plus précise de profils d’évolutions des individus afin d’améliorer le diagnostic qui, pour l’instant, reste un diagnostic d’exclusion

Low back pain in the general population : Natural course and classification

Le but de cette thèse est d’étudier s’il existe une méthode de récolte d’informations, autre que celle couramment utilisée, permettant de mieux décrire l’histoire naturelle des lombalgies non spécifiques. Pour cela, une revue de la littérature a été effectuée et une étude prospective dans la population générale danoise a été analysée. Deux méthodes de récolte d’informations sont utilisées pour caractériser cette évolution : la méthode usuelle par questionnaires, permettant de classer les douleurs lombaires en fonction du nombre total de jours avec douleurs dans une année, et une nouvelle méthode par suivi SMS prenant en compte la durée et le rythme des épisodes douloureux dans une année. Les résultats de la revue de littérature et l’analyse de la population générale danoise vont dans le même sens. L’évolution des douleurs lombaires est relativement stable, notamment pour ceux qui n’ont pas de douleurs en début d’étude. Les deux systèmes de classification, issus respectivement des deux méthodes de récolte, répartissent les individus en groupes non similaires. De plus, les associations de ces groupes avec des variables biopsychosociales ne sont pas les mêmes, différenciant ainsi cliniquement les groupes de chaque classification. Le suivi SMS permet d’apporter des informations plus détaillées sur le rythme des douleurs lombaires dans le temps et semble plus appropriée pour caractériser l’évolution d’une affection récurrente comme la lombalgie non spécifique. Ces résultats permettent maintenant de prévoir l’évolution des douleurs lombaires et vont faciliter l’étude plus précise de profils d’évolutions des individus afin d’améliorer le diagnostic qui, pour l’instant, reste un diagnostic d’exclusion.The aim of this thesis is to study if there is information gathering method, other than that commonly used to better describe the natural history of non-specific low back pain. For this, a literature review was performed and a prospective study in the Danish general population was analyzed. Two methods of gathering information are used to characterize this course: the usual method by questionnaires, classifying low back pain based on the total number of days with pain in one year, and a new SMS-Track method taking into account the duration and rhythm of painful episodes in a year. The results of the literature review and analysis of data on the Danish general population go in the same direction. The course of low back pain is fairly stable, especially for those who do not have pain at baseline. Both classification systems, respectively from the two methods of collection, divide individuals into different groups. In addition, associations of these groups with bio-psychosocial variables are not the same, differentiating clinically the groups of each classification. SMS-Track method provide more detailed information on the rhythm of low back pain over time and seems more appropriate to characterize the course of a recurring condition such as non-specific low back pain. These results now predict the natural history of low back pain and will facilitate the study of individual course patterns to improve the diagnosis, which remains, for now, a diagnosis of exclusion

Stability of low back pain reporting over 8 years in a general population aged 40/41 years at base-line: data from three consecutive cross-sectional surveys.

International audienceBACKGROUND: A recent review on the natural course of low back pain (LBP) in the general population indicated that the LBP reporting pattern is fairly constant over time. Furthermore, the LBP status at baseline (yes/no) seems to be predictive of the future course. When fluctuations occur, they seem most common between the nearest categories. However, in the majority of articles, non-responders were not taken into account in the analyses or interpretation of data, meaning that estimates may have been biased. Further, all reviewed studies included study participants of many different age groups. Data from three cross-sectional surveys over 8 years of the same cohort made it possible to answer the following questions: 1) Would the prevalence estimates of LBP be stable over time? 2) How would results change when taking into account non-responders? 3) Is the LBP reporting over the three survey periods stable at an individual level, taking into account also the non-responding group? METHODS: Data from three subsequent cross-sectional surveys of a study sample were available and questions about LBP were asked at baseline and also 4 and 8 years later. Study participants were 40/41 years at base-line and initially randomly selected from the general Danish population. Data were analyzed with STATA/IC 12, and presented with percentages and 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The majority of participants reported to have had LBP in the preceding year but not having taken sick leave in relation to this pain. LBP was stable or relatively stable for the study participants as they progressed through their fifth decade. This was true on a population basis and also on an individual level. When non-responders were taken into account the results did not change. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirmed the results from our recent review; both presence and absence of LBP seem to be predictive for the future course. The percentage of non-responders in this type of study may not be as important as previously thought in relation to the presence/absence of LBP

Additional file 1 of Do chiropractic interns use clinical practice guidelines when managing patients with neck pain in France? A feasibility study

Additional file 1. STROBE Statement—Checklist of items that should be included in reports of cross-sectional studies

Additional file 2 of Do chiropractic interns use clinical practice guidelines when managing patients with neck pain in France? A feasibility study

Additional file 2. Enquête nationale stagiaires en centres de soins (PILOTE) - Diagnostic & prise en charge des cervicalgies en chiropraxie

Determinants of clinical practice guidelines’ utilization for the management of musculoskeletal disorders: a scoping review

International audienceContext: Many clinical practice guidelines have been developed for the management of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). However, there is a gap between evidence-based knowledge and clinical practice, and reasons are poorly understood. Understanding why healthcare providers use clinical practice guidelines is essential to improve their implementation, dissemination, and adherence. Aim: To identify determinants of clinical practice guidelines' utilization by health care providers involved in the assessment and management of MSDs. Method: A scoping review of the literature was conducted. Three databases were searched from inception to March 2021. Article identification, study design, methodological quality, type of healthcare providers, MSDs, barriers and facilitators associated with guidelines' utilization were extracted from selected articles. RESULTS: 8671 citations were retrieved, and 43 articles were selected. 51% of studies were from Europe, and most were quantitative studies (64%) following a cross-sectional design (88%). Almost 80% of articles dealt with low back pain guidelines, and the most studied healthcare providers were general practitioners or physiotherapists. Five main barriers to guideline utilization were expressed by providers: 1) disagreement between recommendations and patient expectations; 2) guidelines not specific to individual patients; 3) unfamiliarity with "non-specific" term, or with the bio psychosocial model of MSDs; 4) time consuming; and 5) heterogeneity in guideline methods. Four main facilitators to guideline utilization were cited: 1) clinician's interest in evidence-based practice; 2) perception from clinicians that the guideline will improve triage, diagnosis and management; 3) time efficiency; and 4) standardized language. Conclusion: Identifying modifiable determinants is the first step in developing implementation strategies to improve guideline utilization in clinical practice